Wall paneling

ABSTRACT

An assembly of interfitting wall panels adapted for covering the surfaces of perpendicularly disposed walls; and being so constructed as to permit of relative adjustment for accommodating walls of varying extent while obscuring any imperfections in intervening joints. Said paneling may be easily and securely mounted upon any conventional support structure.

a United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,740,908 Moore June 26, 1973 [5 WALL PANELING 3,511,007 5/1970 Babcock 161/38 85, [75] Inventor: John W. Moore, Creve Coeur, Mo. 3 2 2? u [73] Assignee: Swan Corporation, St. Louis, Mo. 3,537,929 11/1970 Keith 1,334,178 3/1920 Sharp [22] Filed: Jan. 11, 1971 3,434,259 3/1969 Corbin 52/420 [21] Appl. No.: 105,248

Primary ExammerGeorge F. Lesmes Assistant Examiner-James J. Bell [52] US. Cl 52/261, 52/35, 52/390, Atwmey-Ralph W. Kalish 52/420, 156/71, 156/257, 161/37, 161/38, 161/40, 161/145, 161/149 51 1111. C1 E04b 1/00 [57] ABSTRACT 58 Field of Search 161/149, 36, 37, An assembly of interfitting wall Panels adapted for 161/38, 39, 40, 41, 145, 148, 167, 406, 147, ering the surfaces of perpendicularly disposed walls; 44, 108, 126; 156/157, 291, 71; 52/420, 173, and being so constructed as to permit of relative adjust- 3 5 261; 1 ()/23 5 ment for accommodating walls of varying extent while obscuring any imperfections in intervening joints. Said 56] References Cit d paneling may be easily and securely mounted upon any conventional SUppOI't structure.

1,721,643 7/1929 Shulman 160/235 9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDJms ms SHEEIINZ INVENTOR JOHN W. MQORE BY K L ATTORNEY PATENIEDJUIZB ma 3 740.908

FIG, 6

22 INVENTOR JOHN w. MOORE ATTORNEY WALL PANELING BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to wall construction and, more particularly, to panels adapted for interfitting relationship upon mutually perpendicular surfaces.

It is an object of the present invention to provide paneling adapted for disposition upon the adjacent surfaces of perpendicularly related walls for obscuring any imperfections in the joints between such walls and thereby obviating the need for plumbing of the underlying support structure as has been heretofore requisite.

It is another object of the present invention to provide wall paneling comprised of interfitting components so constructed as to allow for relative adjustment for accommodating wall surfaces of varying extent, while assuring of snug coverage of the support structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide wall paneling of the type stated which may be most economically manufactured, rapidly installed in operative position, by a workman without requiring complex tools and instruments.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide wall paneling of the type stated which is particularly useful for bathtub surrounds being so related as to be leakproof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide wall paneling of the type stated which is productive of cost reduction in labor and material in building construction; which is adaptable for presentation in a multiplicity of materials of construction, varying colors, and surface ornamentation to provide a versatility in usage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of wall paneling constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention, illustrating the same in mounted condition as constituting a bathtub surround.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the side panel at the left side of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the side panel at the right side of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the center panel.

FIG. 6 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 8--8 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A indicates generally wall paneling for a wall recess 1, such as developed for receiving a bathtub 2, which recess, upwardly of said bathtub, is constituted of side walls 3,3 and an intermediate wall 4. Said walls 3,3 and 4 may be of conventional construction, comprising drywall, such as, wallboards 5,

secured, as by nailing, upon studding, designated 6. The aforesaid wall construction is presented for purposes of illustration only since the present invention may be utilized with equal facility with other wall structures.

As shown in FIG. 2, wallboards 5 of side walls 3,3 form joints with the adjacent edges of the wallboard of wall 4, as at 7,7. It is not imperative that the adjacent edges of the related wallboards form a snug joint, since any inadvertent spacing therebetween resulting from lack of plumb, or the like, is without moment in view of the present invention; all as will be shown hereinbelow. Thus, the need for careful cutting of wallboards 5, or the necessity of effecting mitering of the edges thereof for joint formation, is obviated.

Wall paneling A includes a pair of side panels 8,8 for disposition upon side walls 3,3, respectively, and the proximate portion of intermediate wall 4. Each side panel 8,8 is of angle configuration comprising a main section 9 and an extended section 10 which are mutually perpendicular with said main sections 9 being commensurately dimensioned for covering side walls 3,3 of recess 1 and with said extended sections being of a transverse extent less than half the length of intermediate wall 4 whereby when said side panels 8,8 are in mounted position the outer edge portions of said extended sections are spaced apart for reasons presently appearing. Side panels 8,8 are of identical construction and configuration, being produced from the same die, so that the same may be readily interchanged, as in an end for end manner. Said side panels 8,8 being most economically produced are fabricated of preferably moulded material such as fiberglas; being relatively thin yet sturdy and durable. Each side panel 8,8 is provided with a continuous marginal flange 11 for tight joint formation with the adjacent wallboard; there being an enlargement of such flange at the juncture of said main and extended sections, as at 12, for assuring snug abutment with the corner developed by side walls 3,3 and intermediate wall 4. As marginal flange 11 is turned inwardly toward the adjacent wallboard a spacing is developed between said wallboard and the inner face of the confronting side panel section (see FIG. 8); with such spacing being enhanced in the outer marginal portion of each main section 9 as by the development of a slight protrusion thereto as at 13 (see FIG. 9) which allows for the disposition against the rearward face of each of said sections 10, 11 of each side panel 8,8 proximate their outer edges of a vertically extending continuous strip of pressure sensitive adhesive as at 14,14, respectively, (FIGS. 8 and 9) for effecting firm adherence of said side panels upon the related wallboards whereby said panels 8,8' are stable in mounted disposition; being reliably anchored so as to be proof against accidental displacing or shifting; and with such stability being further increased by the reception of the corner portions 12 of marginal flange 11.

For completing the decorative covering of wall recess 1 there is provided a central panel 15 for disposition upon intermediate wall 4 and with its side portions in overlapping relationship to the free edge portions of extended sections 10 of each side panel 8,8. Central panel 15 is of general rectangular configuration having upper and lower parallel transverse edges l6, 17 which are in substantial alignment with the upper and lower edges 18, 19, respectively, of the extended section 10 of each side panel 8, 8. .Central panel 15 is provided with inwardly turned vertical side flanges 20 (FIG. 8) and with its upper and lower transverse edges 16, 17 being each also provided with an in turned flange 20 with the latter forming a leak-proof joint with the underlying top surface of bathtub 2. Central panel 15 is surface-wise contoured to present a primary planar intermediate zone being parallel to the proximate wallboard 5 and lateral, slightly forwardly projecting portions 21,21 the main surfaces of which are planarwise aligned and parallel with the intermediate zone. The depth of lateral portions 21, 21' is slightly greater than the thickness of the free edge portions of extended sections of side panels 8,8 to permit of ready overlap thereof. The extent of lapping will manifestly be dependent upon the relative length of intermediate wall 4 and the transverse dimension of side panel extended sections 10. However, lateral portions 21,21 are of sufficient transverse extent to permit of accommodation of the intervening wall space within a relatively extensive range (see FIG. 8). The superimposition of lateral portions 21,21 upon the underlying edge portions of extended sections 10 of side panels 8,8 conduces to an approximate joint between central panel and the companion side panels 8,8. A continuous band of vertically extending pressure sensitive material 22 is provided upon the inner face of each lateral portion 21,21 of central panel 15 and immediately next to edge flange for assuring of adherence to the confronting surface of the related side panel 8,8 (FIG. 8). Thus, despite the extent of lapping, the location of pressure sensitive material 22 is presented for engaging respective side panels 8,8 for creating a liquid-proof seam.

In view of the foregoing it will be readily apparent that central panel 15 and side panels 8,8 coact in a unique and wholly sufficient manner for accommodating tub recesses l of varying extent whereby a home owner or a builder may easily utilize such panels of predetermined dimensions with full assurance that the same will interrelate for effective paneling of the wall portions of such recess. By means of pressure sensitive materials as at 14,14, 22, central panel 15 and side panels 8,8 may be easily and firmly mounted upon walls 3,3 and 4 as well as reliably interengaged so that the same will remain fixed in operative position. The unusual application of pressure sensitive material to panels of the present invention obviates the historically accepted resort to bolts, nails and like extraneous securing devices with the involved tedious effort, time consumption, and potential for marring or otherwise damaging the decorative character of such panels.

To enhance even further the utilitarian nature of the panels of the present invention, central panel 15 is provided with an outwardly extending soap dish 23. Main section 9 of side panel 8 may be suitably apertured, as indicated in phantom lines at 24 in FIG. 3 for reception of the customary hardware such as a faucet suggested at 25 in FIG. 1.

What I claim is:

1. Wall paneling comprising a central panel and a pair of side panels, each of said panels being of sturdy, integral construction and being fabricated from molded material, each of said side panels being of angle configuration in cross-section having a main section and an extended section in mutually, substantially planar perpendicular relationship, said side panels being so mutually related that the respective extended sections are substantially coplanar, the extended sections of said side panels each being free in its side edge remote from the associated main section, said central panel disposed overlyingly of the extended sections of said side panels in their mutually adjacent portions, obscuring the free side'edges thereof, the plane of said central panel being substantially parallel to the plane of said side panel extended sections and the plane of said central section being substantially perpendicular to said side panel main sections, and adhesive means securing the said central panel and its free side edge portions to the overlain portions of said side panel extended sections.

2. Wall paneling as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by the extended sections of said side panels being spaced-apart, said central panel having a central portion presented between the extended sections of said side panels, said central panel having side marginal portions protruding from the plane of said central portion overlying the free side edges of said extended sections.

3. Wall paneling as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said central panel marginal portions returning in their edge extremities toward the proximate extended section of said side panels developing a fluid-proof joint therebetween.

4. In combination with a wall recess having parallel spaced-apart side walls and an intervening intermediate wall in substantially perpendicularrelationship to said side walls, wall paneling comprising a central panel and a pair of side panels, each of said panels being of sturdy construction and being fabricated from molded material, each side panel being of angle shape in crosssection having a main section disposed against a side wall of said recess and an extended section disposed against the proximate portion of said intermediate wall, each extended section being free in its end margin remote from the respective main section, said central panel having an inner face and an outer face and having a transverse extent sufficient to overlie the portions of said extended sections of said side panels adjacent the free ends of the latter, the plane of said central panel being substantially parallel to said side panel extended sections and being substantially perpendicular to said side panel main sections, first securing means fixing said side panels flatwise upon the proximate portions of said recess walls, and second securing means fixing portions of said central panel substantially flatwise on its inner face upon underlying portions of said side wall extended sections.

5. In combination with a wall recess having parallel, spaced-apart side walls, and an intermediate wall in substantially planar perpendicular relationship to said side walls, wall paneling comprising a central panel and a pair of side panels, each of said panels being of sturdy construction and being unitarily fabricated from molded material, each side panel being of angle shape in cross-section having a main section and an extended section, said main sections being areawise commensurate with said recess side walls and being disposed thereon, each of said extended sections having a vertical height commensurate with that of said intermediate wall and a transverse extent equal to one-half or less of the width of said intermediate wall, each extended section having a free end edge remote from its main section for edgewise mutual confronting disposition, said central panel having an inner face and an outer face having a height commensurate with that of said recess intermediate wall and a transverse extent no greater than the width thereof, the plane of said central panel being substantially parallel to the planes of said side panel extended sections and substantially perpendicular to the planes of said side panel main sections, said central panel mounted on its inner face overlyingly of 5 the mutually proximate portions of said side panel extended sections obscuringly of the free end margins thereof, and means for securing portions of said central panel substantially flatwise upon said side panel extended portions.

6. Wall paneling as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said first securing means being pressure sensitive material provided upon the wall-directed faces of said side panel extended and main sections.

7. Wall paneling as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by said pressure sensitive material being of said lateral forwardly projecting portions. 

1. Wall paneling comprising a central panel and a pair of side panels, each of said panels being of sturdy, integral construction and being fabricated from molded material, each of said side panels being of angle configuration in cross-section having a main section and an extended section in mutually, substantially planar perpendicular relationship, said side panels being so mutually related that the respective extended sections are substantially coplanar, the extended sections of said side panels each being free in its side edge remote from the associated main section, said central panel disposed overlyingly of the extended sections of said side panels in their mutually adjacent portions, obscuring the free side edges thereof, the plane of said central panel being substantially parallel to the plane of said side panel extended sections and the plane of said central section being substantially perpendicular to said side panel main sections, and adhesive means securing the said central panel and its free side edge portions to the overlain portions of said side panel extended sections.
 2. Wall paneling as defined in claim 1 and further characTerized by the extended sections of said side panels being spaced-apart, said central panel having a central portion presented between the extended sections of said side panels, said central panel having side marginal portions protruding from the plane of said central portion overlying the free side edges of said extended sections.
 3. Wall paneling as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said central panel marginal portions returning in their edge extremities toward the proximate extended section of said side panels developing a fluid-proof joint therebetween.
 4. In combination with a wall recess having parallel spaced-apart side walls and an intervening intermediate wall in substantially perpendicular relationship to said side walls, wall paneling comprising a central panel and a pair of side panels, each of said panels being of sturdy construction and being fabricated from molded material, each side panel being of angle shape in cross-section having a main section disposed against a side wall of said recess and an extended section disposed against the proximate portion of said intermediate wall, each extended section being free in its end margin remote from the respective main section, said central panel having an inner face and an outer face and having a transverse extent sufficient to overlie the portions of said extended sections of said side panels adjacent the free ends of the latter, the plane of said central panel being substantially parallel to said side panel extended sections and being substantially perpendicular to said side panel main sections, first securing means fixing said side panels flatwise upon the proximate portions of said recess walls, and second securing means fixing portions of said central panel substantially flatwise on its inner face upon underlying portions of said side wall extended sections.
 5. In combination with a wall recess having parallel, spaced-apart side walls, and an intermediate wall in substantially planar perpendicular relationship to said side walls, wall paneling comprising a central panel and a pair of side panels, each of said panels being of sturdy construction and being unitarily fabricated from molded material, each side panel being of angle shape in cross-section having a main section and an extended section, said main sections being areawise commensurate with said recess side walls and being disposed thereon, each of said extended sections having a vertical height commensurate with that of said intermediate wall and a transverse extent equal to one-half or less of the width of said intermediate wall, each extended section having a free end edge remote from its main section for edgewise mutual confronting disposition, said central panel having an inner face and an outer face having a height commensurate with that of said recess intermediate wall and a transverse extent no greater than the width thereof, the plane of said central panel being substantially parallel to the planes of said side panel extended sections and substantially perpendicular to the planes of said side panel main sections, said central panel mounted on its inner face overlyingly of the mutually proximate portions of said side panel extended sections obscuringly of the free end margins thereof, and means for securing portions of said central panel substantially flatwise upon said side panel extended portions.
 6. Wall paneling as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said first securing means being pressure sensitive material provided upon the wall-directed faces of said side panel extended and main sections.
 7. Wall paneling as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by said pressure sensitive material being of band-like configuration, extending vertically upon said side panel sections, and being located adjacent the mutually remote edges thereof.
 8. Wall paneling as defined in claim 7 and further characterized by said second securing means being pressure sensitive material provided on the inner face of said centrAl panel.
 9. Wall paneling as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by said central panel having lateral, forwardly protruding portions for overlying the adjacent portions of the extended sections of the related side panels, said pressure sensitive material on said central panel being disposed upon the inwardly directed face of said lateral forwardly projecting portions. 